Oprah Goes In on Twitter Follower For Questioning Her Commitment to Black America
Someone on Twitter made the mistake of questioning Oprah Winfrey’s commitment to black America, and although Oprah usually takes the high road and ignores the trash talk, she didn’t this time. Oprah took the nasty tweet as an opportunity to school black America on what she’s done for black America.
Here’s the exchange:
I don’t know who @awalkdatalk is, but whoever he is, he’s probably somewhere wishing he’d never sent that tweet. In truth, you can question a lot of things about Oprah, such as her priorities or whether OWN was a good business venture, but you can’t question her philanthropic work on behalf of black people.
The Oprah Winfrey Scholarship at Morehouse College, a historically black college, has provided a college education for hundreds of black men.
During Oprah’s farewell episode, one student said, “I was on the verge of being kicked out of school because my parents were unable to pay my tuition,” and another said, “without the Oprah Scholarship, I would have never become a physician.” And these are black men that Oprah is committing her money to.
Oprah also started a leadership academy in South Africa which she built and designed with her own money.
No one forced Oprah to give to Morehouse or build a girls academy in South Africa, but she did it. And she did it with her own dollars, so it seems silly that anyone would question her commitment to the black community. Quite frankly, it is difficult to understand why some blacks still hold tight to this “Oprah don’t like black people” meme. People who don’t care much for black people tend not to start charities which cater to black people.
Either way, Oprah had had enough and decided to finally defend herself against the nasty attacks. Good for her. It’s about time.
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It is easy for people to take pot shots at people like Oprah because they are in the spotlight. And it is even easier for people to try and say what people do and don’t do when they don’t know the person personally. As a teacher, I experience the same thing from parents who never show up to the classroom or schoolhouse but they supposedly know exactly what’s going on in my room and at the school through hearsay. Oprah employs hundreds of blacks and has provided much more for blacks than is publicized and that is a fact. When she gave her support to President Obama she showed that she was indeed a true lover of the black community. And we must be clear that it was not just the black community that made her a billionaire so she doesn’t feel just obligated to us. She is a citizen of the world just as we all are and thus she feels obligated to help all and anyone who questions her giving is misguided.
Oprah you owe noone anything and to your critic you should not dignify such silly trash You must always stay on the high road you have certainly payed the cost to be the “Boss” of how you spend the money You have earned without explination!!!!!
Whoever you are, you need to go tweet your me*t! How OPRAH SPENDS her Money should be no concern of yours!! What’s wrong wit you. Make use of yourself and go tell your trash to the Garbage can!!
I totally agree that Oprah doesn’t owe anyone anything; especially an explanation as to what she’s done or not done for Black people. She probably has done more than any single individual. The thing I have difficulty understanding is why she couldn’t have done the same type of thing here in America that she did in South Africa. Putting 500 Black students through Morehouse is a great thing but I question whether its money well spent. Out of the 500 that she helped, how many will ever be in a position the do the same thing for another 500 or even anyone beyond their immediate family. With all that Oprah has done, right now her legacy will be that of a great very rich Black woman who failed when she actually went out on her own (no pun intended). What will Harpo Productions be when she’s gone? With issues like child obesity, teen pregnancy, high school dropouts, lack of general education, and poverty just to name a few, I personally think she could do a whole lot to address some of these issues and solidify her place in history as a true and great Black American humanitarian rather than just a Black billionaire.
@ James. Michael Jackson made the Guinness book of world records for the biggest giver,contributor of all time in the entertainment industry. If Oprah is in that category then she’s behind the King. On your questioning part of your comment, I have a question. Have you researched and got the FACTS on all that she has done for Black/Afro Americans? Get the facts please. I do not have them but I’m sure research will inform you so you will have no more questions. When I hear remarks that have facts, I listen. Please, do yourself a favor and get the facts. Those 500 she invested in the minds of the Africans, who’s to say what they’ll become and give back to Black Americans? She’s made a wealthy investment in many minds. It just might be a mind in white skin that will do for us what you might expect a black person to be doing. The moral of the story? Dr.King- content of character, not the color. Still today, and sadly so, some with the color do not even want their black color.
What you describe as the aims she should strive to accomplish should be the aims of a POLITICAN, not an entertainer. Leave the political work to Oboma; he’s doing pretty good with it.
We never elected Oprah for office.
James since you know the things Oprah should be addressing and is not, forget Oprah and be the person to address them.
If you’re African-American, we all owe something to our people, because of the brothers and sisters who came before us. Ms. Oprah would have not been there, had it not been for the struggle, blood, sweat and tears that they endured.
You probably would like to ask Ms. Winfrey why she gave the company FLIP BOARD $50 MILLION DOLLARS, when you have all of these African-American businesses struggling for capital. It’s good that she gives scholarships to students, but if she created true economic development for their parents, then they could send their own kids to college.
I know that some of you would probably say that she’s wanting a great return for her investment, and maybe so, but that’s like saying that you can only get it in the WHITE COMMUNITY.
PEACE, LOVE, BLESSINGS AND POWER
People talking about Oprah have a lot to learn about life and you are still going to die a dam fool.
Mr. AWALK ought to walk toward a job, take it to become a man and stop questioning what a woman is doing for him. Who owes him a d**n thing other than the 2 who made his lazy a*s. All he has to do is read of her contributions but he probably can’t read. We just learned he can’t think. The next persons he ask that question better be his parents. No woman owes that ghetto head a d**n thing. That’s the mind that will stay poor because he’s too blind or too lazy to see and discover his potential and power. For starters, Humble yourself AWALK and get and receive the fatherly COUNSEL that will help you get up for you and stop lookin to a woman. You’re lookin real bad about right now son.
You may question individual choices Oprah made (a “girls” academy in South Africa instead of a “children’s” school … ) but her overall commitment to giving back to her/our community is beyond question or reproach.
I don’t know Oprah and I never watched her show because I was allways at work, but being from the Dallas/Ft Worth TX area, I recall when she came to Dallas. A lot of women thought she was going to hand out goodie bags, but they were shocked and some were appauled. lol, they had to buy tickets and didn’t even get a Free copy of O’ or nothing elde. I had to laugh because I also remember when the TX ranchers toke her to court over the beef issue, she won because White Women had her back, but the TX Judicial System got another Black Figure head (my he rest in peace) when they got Al Lipscomb instead. I do wonder if white women see her as MAMMIE, you know Aunt Jemima… BUT SHE DO NOT OWE THE BLACK COMMUNITY OR ANY OTHER COMMUNITY A DIME. It’s her money, her life…. And she’s a Sexy, Beautiful Woman even without make-up.lol. So Quit talkin & start walkin. Mr WalkDaTalk
I feel sorry for this poor fool.
I love you Oprah—There are more Black Folk on the Northren Shores of America that can contribute to the well being of our communities. We need to stop looking at the Folk who have these large sums of monies,and let them live. We do live in a capitalistic society and for those who happen to be Black and acquired
some wealth- good for them. Now the most important flaw or should I say the lack of common sense is for one to be in the public eye-and have the means to say louad and clear that African Americans should demand respect and opportunity to control the monies in which they spend in their communities.
Now is the time for somebody who has reached the heights of Americas and the worlds yardstick of being the most influential because of ones wealth. Well MLK wasn’t a billionaire- he did us quit well for the most part. Can we just have a common understanding that we need to own something whereby we can employ us by the tens of thousands. So when we take our eyes ofthe individual achievers and realize that power is when a group of people come together to accomplish businesses that will be here hundreds of years from now like others do who have a four hundred year advantage.
Boycott Christmas 2012
That’s what I like, to treat an ignorant s***b like that, and leave his simple a*s with nothing to say. And she STILL did it with class, some like her, some don’t, and that’s okay but she’ll never have to kiss a white or anyone’s behind for nothing. I pray continued success for her, and Oprah, keep handlong your business my sistah!!!!!!
I have never liked oprah for many reasons, and yes she has given to morehouse, but with the money she has there is a lot more she could have done. Fact is , it is her money and she can do as she wish, give away some more cars to everyone in the audience.
really. You had no one else to bash?, this woman. Is black lets start there, she talks,talks, talks, has been for years but the cold part is, she back,back, backs it up as well, haven’t you payed attention.she takes the spirit of those who came before her very seriously! And pays it forward handsomely! The one thing about Oprah that i vehemently disagree with, like in this case, is when she feels she has to respond to someone who either don’t get it, or just envy philanthropy, like we rarely see, in its spiritual form, Mr hater did you know she honored several female pioneers @ her home i think in 2005, look it up hater, and ask yourself, would you have done that? Be more respectful! I hate ti hear your take on the Black President! GOD PLEASE BLESS YOU ANYWAY
Speaking of Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah provided the use of a high rise condo to his widow, Coretta Scott King. Mrs. King enjoyed the comfort and security of this residence into her final days. This gift was made by Oprah with little to no fanfare. Let’s not rush to judgement. We don’t know what Oprah has done.
Oprah or anyone who worked hard to achieve any form of success does not owe anyone a d**n thing, she has been more that generous to many people/causes publicly and privately, when did any of you with nasty comments helped your neighbor in the smallest of ways? You take time to criticize her not doing, but did you do your best to be successful ? Maybe not. If you were successful to any degree you won’t have the time to be on questioning another person’s ability to share their wealth. Get your own and do what you will with yours, let her do as she pleases with hers….
Once again, history repeats….we only know how to tear each other down.
For you negroes who think “she could do more”…what the h**l are you doing in your community? Negroes always want to tell other folks what they could/should have done? Some of you wouldn’t give your neighbor or a family member $20 if they need it….so STFU!!
Oprah has lead the way as an example to reach out and help somebody, anybody, if you have the means to do so. It’s whats life is all about, you help someone and you help yourself.
Us Black folks still today in 2012 have not learned the value of supporting each other.
That is why I have written my first book, to give you the understanding as to why we are still disrespecting each other, and not following great Black Americans like Oprah, and other successful Black Americans with financial means, as an example to build on, and better our race.
Why Are Afro_Americans Afraid To Take Off The Blinders:
http://www.amazon.com & http://www.xlibris.com……Please check it out.
Oprah has done a lot….She’s probably given more than anyone remotely close to others of her financial status. Does that mean she’s given enough based upon her capacity to do more? Does it mean no more is needed because she gave quite a bit or more than most? I feel she’s given all she had to give…We as a people aren’t entitled to anything that belongs to Oprah, but I do wish more would be done to save young black kids from slipping through the acadmic cracks that have crippled our kid’s futures for decades. I feel black kids receive inferior education in public schools. I think it’s shameful that kids spend 13 years in school, graduate, and don’t have marketable skills to compete for good paying entry level jobs in the workplace. I believe they can be prepared to compete for good jobs like entry level positions offererd within the oil industry that pay well. I also believe they can be prepared to enter college after high school at the same time. There is no reason why both can’t be done simultaneously.
I think those who are better positioned to influence policy on educating youth in America need to lead a new way of thinking about acceptable standards for educating kids in public school. We need to get at root causes that cripple our kids so they can grow into productive adults with decent jobs.
Many of us know that those who control numbers often rule the world. The stock market is all about numbers and our kids graduate from high school not even knowing how to read a stock market report, how the market operates, and how they can become players in the market. I think that’s a shame, but what do I know?….I’m just one dissatisfied person with how poor kids are educated or miseducated in America and I’m not empowered to change the system alone. I’ve written to President Obama several times about the problem. I’ve written to Washington’s education department. I never have received any response from President Obama or anyone from the education department. What should that tell me?
LOL these are the same black folks that expect President Obama to cater to the black community solely..it’s ridiculous that this guy questioned her contributions when we have these sorry a*s negroes out in the street shooting up each other and people just standing around not doing a d**n thing about it. We can’t rely on one person all the time. I’ts time that we as people stand up and do something for OUR community! I started a mentoring program for inner city youth because these kids need guidance, love and a nurchuring environment so that they don’t end up in the streets as another statistic. I’m teaching them how to apply for scholarships and how to build a business so that they don’t have to rely on anyone. That’s what WE should be doing but sadly most don’t.
Archie? are you Archie Bunker, now lets hear what you’ve done for your community.
I’m black, and contrary to some of you people, I don’t owe you a d**n dime. If I was lucky, or somehow was able to become a millionaire, I could, If I wanted to, help some people, but I would not have an obligation to. What right, do any of you moochers have, to count my money? Some of you people, remind me of the beggars, that watch people go into a store, and buy something, and then beg them for money. Did Oprah, borrow some money from you? Is she your momma? Those are the only reasons, that she could possibly owe you anything, and in the latter case, she only owes you until you are an adult, then it’s only if she wants to continue to give you something. Get off your lazy a***s, and stop looking for people, or the government to take care of you. That is not how our people has survived, because nobody gave us nothing.
YES OPRAH I AM DOUGLAS K. STEWARD IN WASHINGTON DC FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE FOR ME TOO. I WAS ONE OF THE BEST ATHLETES OF MY TIME AFTER BEING BURNED WUTH GASELINE BY A OLDER BLACK CHILD. THEN I GREW AND TRAINED TO BE THE BEST ATHLETE IN TENNIS, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL AND I EVEN PITCHED NO HITTERS IN BASEBALL. WHITE CRIMINAL STOPPED ME AFTER THE PROBABLE MURDER OF MY FATHER THAT IS HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL MY STORY ON WHY I WAS PUT IN PRISON AND HOW GOOD OF A ATHLETE AND MAN I WAS AND AM. SINCERELY DOUGLAS K. STEWARD 2023617415
Black people Oprah is not obligated to give us anything. Oprah does her more than fair share of giving back. Time the time to learn and read what she has done and maybe yall will stop with this Oprah does nothing for the black community.
http://www.oprah.com/pressroom/Oprah-Winfreys-Official-Biography/6